The Killer Angels

The Classic Novel of the Civil War

By: Michael Shaara

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • After more than a quarter of a century and three million copies in print, Michael Shaara’s Civil War classic, The Killer Angels, remains as vivid and powerful as the day it was originally published.

July 1863. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia is invading the North. General Robert E. Lee has made this daring and massive move with seventy thousand men in a determined effort to draw out the Union Army of the Potomac and mortally wound it. His right hand is General James Longstreet, a brooding man who is loyal to Lee but stubbornly argues against his plan. Opposing them is an unknown factor: General George Meade, who has taken command of the Army only two days before what will be perhaps the crucial battle of the Civil War.

In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history, two armies fight for two conflicting dreams. One dreams of freedom, the other of a way of life. More than rifles and bullets are carried into battle. The soldiers carry memories. Promises. Love. And more than men fall on those Pennsylvania fields. Bright futures, untested innocence, and pristine beauty are also the casualties of war.

The Killer Angels is unique, sweeping, unforgettable–a dramatic re-creation of the battleground for America’s destiny.

©1974 Michael Shaara, copyright renewed 2002 Jeffrey M. Shaara & Lila E. Shaara (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Pulitzer Prize winner, Fiction 1975

“My favorite historical novel . . . A superb re-creation of the Battle of Gettysburg, but its real importance is its insight into what the war was about, and what it meant.”—James M. McPherson

“Remarkable . . . A book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive.”—Ken Burns, filmmaker

“Shaara carries [the reader] swiftly and dramatically to a climax as exciting as if it were being heard for the first time.”—The Seattle Times

WOW!!

Getting ready to head to Gettysburg for a weekend and my brother suggested I read this. I was very hesitant but finally gave in and boy was I glad!
The story, from the view of the various participants in the war, gave me a lot to think about and had me googling a lot of things.
Most of all the narrator - he was FANTASTIC! I admit, if I was "reading" this rather than listening to it I would probably have skipped a number of paragraphs and pages but the narrator was so good he kept me listening to every word.

Outstanding Book

As the second part of a trilogy, even though written years before the first and third books and by the father of the writer of the other two, it is a brilliant personalization of arguably the most important battle of the American Civil War! It is told as the events might have been experienced by some of the most important characters in the event! It is intensely enjoyable if tragic! I felt that I was experiencing the battle through the characters! I have already listened to it twice and will probably listen again! I read it and also the first and third books in the trilogy!

Fabulous!!!!!

One of the Great pieces of Literature! My 3rd time. There will be many more.

Living History

Loved it. Even if you already know the history, see what it was like to be there.

very different angle to a war story

exceptional narrator! Moving story. Told through the thoughts of those in charge. Very novel and unique idea. All leaders of War should be required to read this.

great read loads of info

I thought the story and reader were very good. learned a great deal from this read

Best Civil War book

From the perspective of the Generals and soldiers of the battle. Very insightful and engaging.

Join the Battle

I have read the novel and loved it. The audible version was real and a wonderful experience.

Voices from battlefield

In this novel. The Gettysburg disaster is felt in the real dialogue. Gettysburg is the hardest battle for me to understand, as the southern troops lost so many, I questioned why the war continued. Shaara's novel is a classic that will keep Americans mindful of what a civil war is.

fantastic

I may have to listen to it again. i never listen to books twice. so you see it was that good.